Catch And Release Fishing
Question
Is it permissible to go for fishing which is “Catch and release” (where you cast the rod, as the fish bites on it, the person pulls the fish out but then unhook it and throws it back into the dam just for fun/sport/entertainment)
There is claim that the fish doesn’t get hurt because the mouth of the fish is made of bones and skin only, there are no nerves.
Can we be sure of the fact that it does not get hurt?
The fish might also swallow the hook which naturally will cause a lot of damage before a person gets to take the hook out from the inside of the fish (this can happen often).
Answer
This claim of fish not getting injured in catch and release fishing is totally false. Research shows that this often leads to the death of the fish. Therefore, it will not be permissible to take part in such activities.
Even if someone were to somehow prove that this does not harm the fish, it does not behove a Muslim to while away the precious moments given to him by Allah Ta’aala in such futile activities. The Fuqaha have written that it will be impermissible to engage in such pursuits for mere entertainment.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ ابْنُ عُمَرَ بِفِتْيَانٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ قَدْ نَصَبُوا طَيْرًا وَهُمْ يَرْمُونَهُ وَقَدْ جَعَلُوا لِصَاحِبِ الطَّيْرِ كُلَّ خَاطِئَةٍ مِنْ نَبْلِهِمْ فَلَمَّا رَأَوُا ابْنَ عُمَرَ تَفَرَّقُوا فَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ مَنْ فَعَلَ هَذَا لَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ فَعَلَ هَذَا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَعَنَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ شَيْئًا فِيهِ الرُّوحُ غَرَضًا [مسلم]
كره كل تعذيب بلا فائدة (رد المحتار ٢/٦٩٦)
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
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